A program developed and implemented a competency-based model to ensure that adult vocational education students were functionally competent. Preliminary steps included a review of research on existing practices, exploration of operating programs nationwide, and development of a reciprocal liaison with the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Program development involved identifying the everyday life competencies crucial to job success, developing and validating twenty instructional modules to teach the identified competencies, and designing a management plan to link adult vocational and academic programs to provide adequate delivery systems. During the pilot program, the curriculum was tested, and the curricular materials and management plan were evaluated. Program participants judged functionally and vocationally competent showed a significant reduction in loss of jobs. (Exhibits include a pool of functional competencies, examples of competency specifications, materials relating to conducting competency-rating sessions, summary of competency ratings, competency achievement evaluation forms for teachers and learners, and a sample competency achievement packet.) (YLB)